Loss of power and strange "fan" noise

Chris B · Dec 6, 2020

Looking for help regarding 2015 T5 140 Cali. Not having been far recently in the Cali I took it out for a run and experienced an usual noise which sounds like a fan running that changes speed with the engine revs then suffered a loss of power and the glow plug amber warning light came on. Went home, left it for a while and it started normally with no light on, when revving the engine I couldn't hear the noise. Yesterday tried again, the noise reappeared, same loss of power and light on. The noise is noticeable above 2000rpm and increases with higher rpm and much more obvious when moving. Recently had a service done by local VW specialist including water pump, belt and tensioner change which was due on age not mileage. Having seen posts regarding EGR I fear this may be related but not sure. I think the AA will be my first call, concerned about going back to the VW specialist incase something related to the service and don't want to pay VW dealer charges so bit of a quandary! Anyone experienced this fault?

Wesel · Dec 6, 2020

Turbo pipe broken?

WelshGas · Dec 6, 2020

Chris B said:
Looking for help regarding 2015 T5 140 Cali. Not having been far recently in the Cali I took it out for a run and experienced an usual noise which sounds like a fan running that changes speed with the engine revs then suffered a loss of power and the glow plug amber warning light came on. Went home, left it for a while and it started normally with no light on, when revving the engine I couldn't hear the noise. Yesterday tried again, the noise reappeared, same loss of power and light on. The noise is noticeable above 2000rpm and increases with higher rpm and much more obvious when moving. Recently had a service done by local VW specialist including water pump, belt and tensioner change which was due on age not mileage. Having seen posts regarding EGR I fear this may be related but not sure. I think the AA will be my first call, concerned about going back to the VW specialist incase something related to the service and don't want to pay VW dealer charges so bit of a quandary! Anyone experienced this fault?

Do you have AA or VW Assistance?
Either way need Computer Diagnostics/ Sounds as if Loss of Power = Limp Mode.

Chris B · Dec 6, 2020

WelshGas said:
Do you have AA or VW Assistance?
Either way need Computer Diagnostics/ Sounds as if Loss of Power = Limp Mode.

Yes to AA, will be ringing them as have home start so nothing to loose. It looks like limp mode, it sounds a bit like air escaping so turbo related maybe.

flying banana · Dec 6, 2020

i reckon wesel is onto something, check you haven't blown a turbo hose or intercooler pipe off. easy repair and should be easy to spot. pop the bonnet and get someone to rev. have a look at the pipes.listen for the noise there. a boost pipe came off a golf intercooler once i was driving. you could hear it and the power loss was significant. easy fix.

Chris B · Dec 16, 2020

Good call above, a turbo hose was the problem, probably disturbed after recent service and belt change and worked it's way off. Thankfully sorted by the AA so well worth the year's membership!

Wesel · Dec 16, 2020

Loss of power and strange "fan" noise

Looking for help regarding 2015 T5 140 Cali. Not having been far recently in the Cali I took it out for a run and experienced an usual noise which sounds like a fan running that changes speed with the engine revs then suffered a loss of power and the glow plug amber warning light came on. Went...

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